Authorities in Brazoria County, Texas, say a mother has been charged after four of her children were shot inside a vehicle early Saturday morning. Two children — a 13-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl — were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two, an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, were flown by Life Flight to a Houston-area hospital, where they remain in stable condition. The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office called the situation “an unthinkable, unimaginable tragedy,” emphasizing the swift response of deputies who arrived after the mother’s 911 call. The department says the investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine what led to the violence.

The Early-Morning Call

According to Sheriff Bo Stallman, 31-year-old Oninda Romelus called 911 just before 5 a.m. Saturday, asking deputies to meet her at a gas station on SH 288B near FM 521, near Angleton. When deputies arrived, they found four children inside the vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began emergency measures until paramedics arrived. Two of the children were airlifted to a trauma center in Houston for treatment. Authorities believe the shooting took place inside the family’s car, though not necessarily at the gas station. Sheriff Stallman said investigators are still tracing the family’s movements that morning to establish a complete timeline of events.

Investigation and Charges

Detectives have charged Romelus with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Her bond was set at $14 million. Investigators believe she fired the shots while driving but have not released details about where the gun was obtained or what may have prompted the attack. Romelus, a resident of Porter in Montgomery County, was taken into custody without incident. Deputies later searched her home with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Officials have not released information about whether they found anything. Sheriff Stallman said that, while the motive remains unclear, investigators are committed to uncovering every detail surrounding the tragedy.

Later reports indicated that when Romelus called 911, she was simultaneously filling up her car’s tank with gas, but law enforcement officers took her into custody without any resistance. When investigators interviewed her in jail, she reportedly told them, “Instead of them doing it to me, I’m gonna do it to them.” When investigators asked for clarification, she allegedly told them, “Kill them all.” Other excerpts from the interview that were released to the press noted that she said she hadn’t called 911 but had called the devil instead.

A Community in Shock

Neighbors in Romelus’s Porter neighborhood expressed disbelief upon hearing of the charges. Many told reporters they had only exchanged brief greetings with the family, describing the children as friendly and polite. Speaking with KHOU 11, one neighbor recalled the siblings often walking past her house to pet her small dog, saying, “Seeing them Friday, they were happy.” Residents said there were no signs of trouble or distress in recent weeks, with one telling KHOU 11, “Nothing out of the ordinary at all.” The news has left the quiet community shaken, and many said their thoughts are with the surviving children as they recover in the hospital.

Survivors and Ongoing Support

Authorities say the two surviving children are in stable condition and have spoken with investigators. Sheriff Stallman commended deputies and medical teams for acting quickly, crediting their response with saving lives. “This tragedy has shaken our community, and we are all feeling the loss,” he said in a public statement. “We will do everything we can to seek justice for these children.” Stallman thanked residents for supporting the surviving siblings and first responders affected by the case. The sheriff didn’t give any information about who might take custody of the surviving children, repeating that the shootings were “a senseless tragedy.”

Continuing Investigation

The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the events leading up to the shooting. Authorities have not discussed potential motives or whether any previous calls for service involved the family, although it’s now known that Romelus had a previous criminal record in another state. The interview with Romelus in jail should provide more information regarding motives. Forensic testing is underway on evidence collected from the vehicle and the family’s home. The sheriff’s department is working to ensure the surviving children receive care and protection. The tragedy, officials say, has deeply affected both the community and those tasked with investigating it.

Sources: KHOU 11, KTRK, KPRC, Fox 26 Houston